WO2019158133A1

WO2019158133A1 - Interdental brush holder

Info

Publication number: WO2019158133A1
Application number: PCT/CZ2019/000007
Authority: WO
Inventors: Bohuslav NOVACEK
Original assignee: COTTIER, Katerina
Priority date: 2018-02-15
Filing date: 2019-02-05
Publication date: 2019-08-22
Also published as: CZ307697B6; CZ201876A3

Abstract

The interdental brush holder (1) for cleaning of interdental spaces has a V or open U shape with arms (3, 4) of unequal lengths. At the end of the shorter arm (3), means for attachment of an interdental brush (2) are arranged in such a way that the axis of the interdental brush (2) lies in principle in extension of the shorter arm (3) of the holder (1). The arms (3, 4) make an acute angle α.

Description

Interdental brush holder

Technical Field The invention relates to an interdental brush holder for cleaning of interdental spaces having a V or open U shape with arms of unequal lengths, wherein at the end of the shorter arm, means are arranged to attach the interdental brush in such a way that the axis of the interdental brush lies in principle in extension of the shorter arm of the holder.

Prior Art

So far, interdental brush holders of the following design have been used to clean interdental spaces:

- A short plastic holder is connected in an undetachable manner to the interdental brush. The holder and the interdental brush are constructed along one axis. After deterioration or damage of the interdental brush, the brush is discarded together with the holder. The GUM ©, TANDEX ©, DOFT ©, TePe © brands.

- A short plastic holder with a replaceable interdental brush. The holder and the interdental brush are arranged along one axis. After deterioration or damage of the interdental brush, this brush is released from the plastic holder and it is only the brush that is discarded. These plastic holders exhibit damage of the clamping part due to more frequent replacement of the interdental brushes. Holder brand CURAPROX ©, interdental brush brand CURAPROX ©.

- A long plastic or metallic holder with a replaceable interdental brush, wherein the holder and the interdental brush are constructed along one axis. After deterioration or damage of the interdental brush, this brush is released from a lever or screw clamping and it is only the brush that is discarded. Holder brand Curaprox ©, Oral- 13 © and Paro Swiss ©, brush brand Curaprox ©, Oral-B © and Paro Swiss ©. - A long plastic or metallic holder having a V or open U shape with arms of unequal lengths, wherein at the end of the shorter arm, means are arranged to attach the brush in such a way that the axis of the brush lies in principle in extension of the shorter arm of the holder. The holder is designed in such a way that the arms make an obtuse angle a, or the angle of 90°. The interdental brush is replaceable. After deterioration or damage of the interdental brush, this brush is released from a lever or screw attachment and it is only the brush that is discarded. Holder brand CURAPROX ©, Oral-B © and Paro Swiss ©, brush brand CURAPROX ©, Oral-B © and Paro Swiss ©. The CURAPROX © holders are also produced in a both-sided version for attachment of the brush at both the holder ends.

- The document JP 2004188070 of July 8, 2004 describes an interdental brush holder for easy replacement of the brush and for tilting of the brush. The holder comprises the head part A, holder part B and cap part C. The head part A is connected to the holder part B in a dismountable manner. The head part A part comprises an interdental brush and a connecting part for connection to the holder part B. The holder part B comprises a body and a rotator that is attached to the body in a rotary manner. The body and rotator are chamfered at the angle of 45° with respect to their axis at their contact ends, and the surfaces obtained this way are the contact surfaces of the body and rotator bearing upon each other in each displacement position of the rotator with respect to the body. By rotation of the rotator, which the head part A with the brush is attached to, the tilt of the brush with respect to the body of the holder part B is changed in such a way that their axes make the right angle or an obtuse angle or the straight angle (90° to 180°).

- The document EP 1 741 406 of January 10, 2007 relates to an interdental brush holder for interdental care with a replaceable brush that comprises a holder part with a motor for automatic rotation of the brush, and a brush part. The brush part is connected to the holder part in a dismountable manner. The brush part can be connected to the holder part directly or via an adapter. In case of a direct connection, the brush makes an obtuse angle with the holder part. If the parts are connected via an adapter, the axes of the brush and the holder part also make an obtuse angle the size of which is defined by bending of the adapter at the end designed for the connection of the brush part.

The said shapes and designs of interdental brush holders enable cleaning of interdental spaces in the vestibulo-oral direction, from the outer side of the teeth through the interdental gap towards the inner side of the teeth in the oral cavity.

The said shapes and designs of the holders enable insertion of the interdental brush into the spaces in the upper jaw 15-14-13-12-11-21-22-23-24-25 (all the interdental spaces between the upper teeth in the range from the right second upper premolar to the left second upper premolar) and in the lower jaw 35-34-33- 32-31-41-42-43-44-45 (all the interdental spaces between the lower teeth in the range from the right second lower premolar to the left second lower premolar). Tilting of the holder with the brush ensures a proper cleaning of the outer side of the teeth in the above-mentioned interdental spaces. However, the inner side of the teeth in these interdental spaces is not properly cleaned because the brush gets straightened by passing through the interdental gap and it does not have the required tilt at the inner side of the teeth as at the outer side any more. During the cleaning of the interdental spaces in the upper jaw 18-17, 17-16, 16-15, 25-26, 26-27, 27-28 (all the interdental spaces between the teeth in the range from the right third upper molar to the right second upper premolar and in the range from the left third upper molar to the left second upper premolar) and of the interdental spaces in the lower jaw 38-37, 37-36, 36-35, 45-46, 46-47, 47-48 (all the interdental spaces between the teeth in the range from the right third lower molar to the right second lower premolar and in the range from the left third lower molar to the left second lower premolar), including all the third molars distally, the core of the interdental brush comprising a wire must be variously shaped and directed manually to ensure the cleaning of the interdental spaces.

The said shapes and designs of holders requiring manual shaping of the core of interdental brushes comprising a wire are inefficient. Cleaning of the interdental spaces becomes insufficient due to improper introduction of the interdental brush. The brush is not inserted in the proper line of interdental spaces, which results in repeated attempts at insertion of the interdental brush. The above-mentioned shaping of the core of interdental brushes makes the bristles of the brush come apart due to bending of the metallic structure of the interdental brush core, which may cause a contact of the metallic core of the interdental brush with the teeth, neck and gum. Continual shaping and bending of the interdental brush core leads to the risk of its breaking, which increases the risk of injury in the oral cavity. Also, the teeth may get abraded due to the bristles coming apart. Insufficient hygiene of interdental spaces leads to retention of dental plaque, capturing of microorganisms (bacteria) and subsequently to formation of tartar. Tartar is mainly formed on the inner side of the teeth, which is only difficult to clean properly with the use of interdental brush holders of the said shapes and design. This may lead to tooth damage, occurrence of gingivitis and periodontal disease.

With a both-sided version of the holder, when the brushes are attached to the holder at both its sides, placing the holder in commonly used cups or glasses is also unhygienic. The holder is supported by the attached interdental brush in the cup or glass. The interdental brush bears on the bottom of cups or glasses where dirt and bacteria are accumulated due to placing of other interdental brush holders and toothbrushes, frequently wet after cleaning of teeth. Bacteria and dirt are caught on the interdental brush, getting into the oral cavity during cleaning.

The objective of the invention is to design a novel structure of an interdental brush holder that will enable the proper cleaning of the inner side of teeth at interdental spaces as well as insertion of the interdental brush into all interdental spaces in the jaw without the necessity to shape the core of the interdental brush.

Disclosure of Invention

The above-mentioned objective is achieved with an interdental brushes holder for cleaning of interdental spaces having a V or open U shape with arms of unequal lengths, wherein at the end of the shorter arm, means are arranged to attach the interdental brush in such a way that the axis of the interdental brush lies in principle in extension of the shorter arm of the holder, according to the invention the principle of which is that the arms make the acute angle a. An advantage of the inventive design of the holder is that it enables a progressive method of cleaning of the interdental spaces with an interdental brush in the outward direction from the oral cavity, i.e. in the orally-vestibular direction. Inserting the interdental brush from the sublingual and palatal region outwardly from the oral cavity towards the outer side of the teeth makes it possible to thoroughly remove the supragingival as well as subgingival film (plaque and subsequently tartar) from the outer and inner side of the teeth, causes less damage to teeth, preventing the occurrence of gingivitis and periodontal disease. The holder according to the present invention further enables the cleaning of interdental spaces of all the teeth in the upper and lower jaw without the necessity to manually shape the interdental brush core for certain groups of interdental spaces. Further, a visual check of the treatment is made possible because when the inventive holder is held, the hands are out of the treating person's view field of the interdental brush. For optimum cleaning of interdental spaces, the advantageous size of the acute angle of the holder having the open U shape is a < 45 °.

For optimum cleaning of interdental spaces, the advantageous size of the acute angle of the holder having the V shape is a = 10 ° to 45 °.

In a preferred embodiment, the holder has means for dismountable attachment of the interdental brush. After deterioration or damage of the interdental brush, it is only the interdental brush that is replaced, the original holder being maintained. In a preferred embodiment, the means for attachment of the interdental brush comprise a clamping head with an external thread and with grooves for insertion of the brush. An union nut is screwed on the clamping head to secure the interdental brush. This enables the use of the holder for more kinds of the produced interdental brushes CURAPROX ©, Oral-B © and Paro Swiss ©. CURAPROX © interdental brushes are clamped in the head by snapping into the groove and they may be additionally secured with an union nut.

In a preferred embodiment, at the free end of the longer arm, another shorter arm and attachment means for another interdental brush are arranged. This will provide a both-sided holder enabling simultaneous attachment of two interdental brushes. Thus, if more interdental brushes are used for the dental care, e.g. brushes of the different sizes, the brushes do not need to be replaced so frequently in the holder as when a one-sided holder is used. This brings the advantage of reducing the time spent on attachment of the interdental brushes into the holder and reducing the wear rate of the attachment means on the holder and on the brushes.

A both-sided holder also makes it possible to have a design of arms according to this invention for cleaning of interdental spaces by the brush outwards from the oral cavity at one holder end and at the other holder end, a prior-art design of the holder arms for cleaning with an interdental brush from the outside towards the oral cavity.

With a both-sided holder version, when the brushes are attached to the holder at both the holder sides, the holder stored in commonly used cups or glasses bears on their bottom with a holder part, not with the interdental brush. Thus, dirt and bacteria accumulated on the bottom of the cups and glasses do not catch on the brush.

In a preferred embodiment, the longer arm comprises at least two dismountable connected parts. The dismounted holder occupies less space, which is convenient e.g. when the holder is to be packed for travelling. Another advantage is versatile use of the holder as a one-sided and two-sided one. To increase a firmness of grasp of the holder, the longer arm comprises a grasp non-slip part.

Brief description of Drawings

Fig. 1 shows an example of the holder design having the open U shape according to the invention.

Fig. 2 shows an example of the holder design having the V shape according to the invention.

Fig. 3 shows an example of the both-sided holder design having the open U shape according to the invention.

Fig. 4 shows a side view of the design of the means for attachment of interdental brushes to the holder according to the invention.

Fig. 5 shows a bottom view of the design of the means for attachment of interdental brushes to the holder according to the invention.

Fig. 6 shows an A-A side cross-section of the design of the means for attachment of interdental brushes of Fig. 4. Description of preferred embodiments

The interdental brush holder 1_for cleaning of interdental spaces shown in Fig. 1 has an open U shape with arms 3, 4 of unequal lengths. At the end of the shorter arm 3, means for attachment of an interdental brush 2 are arranged in such a way that the axis of the interdental brush 2 lies in principle in extension of the shorter arm 3 of the holder 1 The arms 3, 4 make an acute angle a=25 °. With the open U shape, optimum cleaning of interdental spaces is achieved at the acute angle size a < 45 °. The longer arm 4 comprises a grasp non-slip part 5. The interdental brushes holder l_for cleaning of interdental spaces shown in Fig. 2 has a V shape with arms 3, 4 of unequal lengths. At the end of the shorter arm 3, means for attachment of an interdental brush 2 are arranged in such a way that the axis of the interdental brush 2 lies in principle in extension of the shorter arm 3 of the holder 1 The arms 3, 4 make an acute angle a=25 °. With the V shape, optimum cleaning of interdental spaces is achieved at the acute angle size a = 10 ° to 45 °. The longer arm 4 comprises a grasp non-slip part 5.

The difference between the U and V shapes according to this invention is that the U shape has, between the arms, a prominent straight part connecting the arms. The V shape does not have this straight part.

Fig. 3 shows a both-sided holder version that is based on the embodiment of Fig. 1. At the free end of the longer arm 4, another shorter arm 3 is arranged with means for attachment of an interdental brush 2. The longer arm 4 is divided into two dismountable connected parts.

Figs. 4, 5 and 6 show means for dismountable attachment of the interdental brush 2 to the holder T The means for attachment of interdental brushes 2 comprise a clamping head 9 with an external thread and with a groove 7 for snapping in and with a groove 8 for insertion of an interdental brush 2. They further comprise a screwable union nut 6.

In Fig. 4, only the groove 7 for snapping of the interdental brush 2 in, which has a T shape, is visible.

In Figs. 5 and 6, the groove 8 for insertion of an interdental brush 2, which has two parts, is also visible. One part is perpendicular to the axis of the clamping head and the other part extends along the surface of the clamping head.

The groove 7 for snapping in is intended for attachment of a CURAPROX © interdental brush with a plastic attachment part. The brush is snapped in the groove 7 for snapping in, which ensures firm connection to the holder A screwable union nut 6 can be used to provide supplementary securing.

The groove 8 for insertion is intended for attachment of an Oral-B ©, Paro Swiss © interdental brush with an attachment part comprising a wire. The wire is inserted into the part of the groove 8 for insertion that is perpendicular to the axis of the clamping head 9, it is further bent into the part of the groove 8 for insertion that is arranged on the surface of the clamping head 9 and is secured with the union nut 6. Unlike the groove 7 for snapping in, the union nut 6 must always be used to attach the interdental brush in the groove 8 for insertion.

Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that the dimensions of the holder ! can be different with respect to different sizes of oral cavities. Persons skilled in the art will further appreciate that the shape of the holder 1 can be supplemented with further ergonomic bends not shown here, e.g. for an optimum grasp of the holder 1

List of reference signs

1 interdental brush holder

2 interdental brush

3 shorter arm of the holder

4 longer arm of the holder

5 non-slip part

6 union nut

7 groove for snapping in

8 groove for insertion

9 clamping head

Claims

1. An interdental brush holder (1) for cleaning of interdental spaces having a V or open U shape with arms (3, 4) of unequal lengths wherein at the end of the shorter arm (3) means are arranged to attach the interdental brush (2) in such a way that the axis of the interdental brush (2) lies in principle in extension of the shorter arm (3) of the holder (1), characterized in that the arms (3, 4) make an acute angle a.

2. The holder (1) according to claim 1 , characterized in that for the open U shape, the size of the acute angle is a < 45 °.

3. The holder (1) according to claim 1 , characterized in that for the V shape, the size of the acute angle is a = 10 ° to 45

4. The holder (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that means for attachment of the interdental brush (2) are adapted for dismountable attachment of the interdental brush (2).

5. The holder (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that means for attachment of the interdental brush (2) comprise a clamping head (9) with an external thread and with grooves (7, 8) for housing of the interdental brush (2), an union nut (6) being screwable onto the clamping head (9) to secure the interdental brush (2).

6. The holder (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that at the free end of the longer arm (4), another shorter arm (3) is arranged with means for attachment of an interdental brush (2).

7. The holder (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the longer arm (4) comprises at least two dismountable connected parts.

8. The holder (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the longer arm (4) comprises an grasp non-slip part (5).